at 15,000 feet or so in a P-51D with 25% fuel. The Bishops were marching like little red ants from the north and had been running pork operations on fuel and ordinance. 25% fuel wouldn't get me much flight time in one of my other rides, so I had upped a Mustang and climbed out parallel to the Bishop convoy. As I neared their base of operations, I moved closer to their flight path and singled out a P-38 flying below me at Angels 10. Ever see a Bish fly alone? Me either. A co-alt Bish P-51D dumped its ord and was joined by a Bish LA-7 as they rev'd course to come back to me. I went nose down to make a guns pass on the P-38 anyway, figuring the Stang and LA would probably get me but at least I could take the P-38 to the grave with me.
I made my approach from the high 7 o'clock angle to try and reach the P-38 before his compatriots could get me. The distance counted down 2.0, 1.7, 1.5, 1.0. Surely he'll get a Check 6 from his friends and go evasive. 900, chop throttle, 800, 700, 600, 500, almost there, 400, 300 Fire! Hits on the rear elevator and the tail falls off. Scratch one P-38.
The Stang and LA-7 were still too far back to shoot me so I firewalled the throttle and popped WEP to gain speed and altitude. Up in a gentle climb, a look over the shoulder, LA-7 and Stang still there, about 2.5 back. A quick glance at the airfield showed more Bishops launching. A low Spitfire! Manna from heaven, baby. Nose down, speed increasing, wind howling in my earphones, throttle back a bit, coming in high and fast from his 5 o'clock position. 2.5, 2.0, 1.5 he breaks. I know better than to follow his turn so I punch WEP and extend back up. LA-7 is catching me but the 51 isn't closing. Spitfire is moving away, clawing for altitude.
Two more dots coming from the enemy airfield so I swing it around. The LA-7 plays the angle and cuts the distance to 1.5 behind me. Things are getting sporty now. Close in on the dots - a Yak and a Corsair. I figure the Corsair is heavy so I close on him first - after all my goal is to stop the base porkage and I figure the Yak's ground-pounding value is pretty much nothing.
3.0, 2.5, 2.0 Surely the LA-7 is going to give him a Check 6, 1.5, 1.0 He's still flying straight and level. A quick glance over the shoulder to make sure it isn't a trap, 800, 700, 600, the guy doesn't see me, 500, 400, 300 Guns Guns Guns and the Corsair falls to pieces.
Now the LA-7, Yak, and Mustang are clustered around behind me, about 1.0 to 2.0 back. Pings on my right wing as the LA-7s cannons take off my right wing tip. My Mustang wings over and I slam the stick to the left to correct. Quick adjustment to the joystick cal as I spin the dial and I trim the plane for level flight. She won't go left but she'll be more than happy to roll right. So I do. I roll over and point the nose at the ground 5k below me, gaining speed. Maybe I can get my pursuers to black out in a high-G turn so I yank the stick back into a hard pull-out. High speed stall! The Stang is tumbling as speed and altitude dial down. Stick forward, I save it but I'm in the weeds. Tracers over my head as the LA-7 closes the distance with the Yak right over his shoulder. Ping ping Tower.
But hey, I popped two and tied up three more. Not bad. And I know at least 2 Bishop pilots were disappointed that their buddies didn't warn them about their imminent demise. Kills are nice, but the value of knowing you caused dissension in the opposing team is priceless.
